The mantra by President John Evans Atta Mills on the fight against corruption in the country seems to have suffered a jolt, as reports reaching The Chronicle from the Koforidua Central Hospital indicate that some of the staff, including nurses, have been extorting money from patients before allowing them to see the doctors. The hospital staff are said to have taken advantage of the large number of patients who call at the hospital for medical attention, to extort the money from them, under the pretext of helping them jump the queues to see the doctors for treatment. A poor patient, who granted an interview to the paper on condition of anonymity, disclosed that they have no option, but to pay the money, in order to get the chance to see the doctor, because the patients are many, and the doctors few. According to the patient, those who could not afford to see the doctors, either go back home or have to queue for hours, before they are attended to. The development is creating simmering tension between the patients and the hospital staff, as the former are lacing up their boots to embark on a demonstration against the hospital. The Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Daniel Asare, told The Chronicle, when contacted, that the allegation had been brought to his attention, but said DQ evidence had been provided to enable his outfit punish the perpetrators. Dr. Asare, however, said the development does not mean that he was going to rest, and that mechanism to clamp down on these unscrupulous health workers who are trying to amass wealth at the expense of the poor patients, would be instituted. Source: Chronicle